#1: Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks, Ala Moana Center

Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks
Ala Moana Center

Category: Gourmet Burger

Menu Item: "Big Wave" w/Cheese

Price: $10.95 w/ Endless Fries

Burger Size: Unknown

Bun: White (Also available in wheat)

Cheese: American

Toppings: Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Pickles, Mustard

Description:

For a place called "Islands" they sure have a ton of locations outside of the islands. Just by looking at the takeout menu, there are over 50 mainland locations and only one here on Oahu. Anyway, on to the review. The restaurant and bar have a nice "island" theme with good music

and tv's. The environment is very laid back and feels like a place you would go to kick back and grab a beer. For this review I kept it simple and ordered the "Big Wave" with cheese which was, basically, a cheeseburger and fries.

The "Big Wave" w/Cheese

My first impression of the meal was that the burger looked good... but wheres the fries?! Apparently, the strategy here is to demolish the amount of french fries that they provide with the burger and ask for more. After all, they are endless and you get another "basket" full of em the next time. As for the burger, it doesn't get any simpler than this. It's a cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles and mustard. That's it. Nothin special. No secret sauces or special buns. Very simple. The burger was cooked medium and was juicy, yet light, unlike other burgers that just bleed grease when you bite into them. Definitely a good, simple cheeseburger and fries. My only complaint would be the fries which were covered in a ton of seasoned salt that was a little too much for me.

I got to stare at the second half of the burger while waiting for the second order of fries...

Verdict:

Islands was a nice place with a good atmosphere. The "Big Wave" cheeseburger was average. Not bad, not amazing. Just simple and good. The endless fries make up for the $10.95 price although they are a bit salty. If I came here again it would probably be to chill, grab a beer, a burger, and endless fries. Auryte!

Grade: C

Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks
1450 Ala Moana Blvd
Sun-Sat 11AM-11PM (808) 943-6670
www.islandsrestaurants.com